PIA Statement of Objectives (SOO) 2025.pdf

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this Statement of Objectives (SOO) is to establish a framework for selecting a Partnership Intermediary (PI) to support the Department of the Air Force's basic research and innovation ecosystem. The PI will enable the transition of scientific outcomes, facilitate cross-sector collaboration, build a resilient national security STEM pipeline, and promote strategic engagements aligned with DoD modernization objectives.

2.0 Background

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) as a vital component of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), has a mission to discover, shape, champion, and transition high risk basic research to profoundly impact the future Air and Space Force. AFOSR accomplishes its mission by cultivating scientific breakthroughs into world-class solutions to boldly go where no science has gone before. AFOSR seeks a Partnership Intermediary to serve as a trusted agent for facilitating technology transfer and commercialization activities, engaging diverse regional ecosystems, developing and operating innovation environments, and advancing the future and current DAF workforce.

3.0 Objectives

Offerors shall propose innovative and technically robust approaches to meet the following objectives:

- Identify and cultivate innovation ecosystems aligned to scientific priorities and DoD transition opportunities.

- Enable structured pathways for transitioning basic research outcomes into commercial and dual-use applications, including support for intellectual property management and legal agreements.

- Design and execute STEM and workforce development initiatives focused on innovation-relevant skills, with an emphasis on DAF innovation priorities.

- Facilitate strategic engagements across DoD, academia, and industry to align national security priorities with emerging science and technology trends.

- Implement robust analytics, knowledge transfer practices, and real-time impact assessments to support data-driven decision-making and reporting.

- Develop and maintain a network of collaboration spaces (virtual and physical) to support innovation, stakeholder integration, and mission-driven technical exchanges.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate the ability to integrate and manage all activities in alignment with the capability areas outlined in the associated Statement of Work (SOW).

4.0 Scope

The successful PI shall operate under a multi-year agreement and deliver performance across the following five capability areas:

1. Innovation Ecosystem Development

2. Technology Transition & Commercialization Enablement

3. Workforce Development and Strategic Reskilling

4. Strategic Engagement and Mission Integration

5. Analytics, Impact Assessment, and Knowledge Transfer

Work must be performed at contractor-leased collaboration facilities (Arlington, VA;

Colorado Springs, CO; Chantilly, VA) and at additional locations as coordinated with the government.

5.0 Period of Performance

The base period of performance is five (5) years from award, with the option for extensions based on performance and government need.

6.0 Desired Outcomes

The government seeks measurable results, including:

- Increased transition of AFOSR-funded research to operational use

- Enhanced regional ecosystem engagement and national innovation alignment

- Documented STEM and workforce impact across demographics

- Strengthened interagency and public-private collaboration

- Scalable analytics and data tools to inform future investment

Offerors are encouraged to include creative methodologies, technology-enabled solutions (e.g., AI/LLM-based analysis, sandbox environments), and secure, agile management platforms to meet these objectives.